The Culver Military Academy (CMA) tennis team wrapped up an impressive postseason marked by both team and individual success. The Eagles captured Sectional and Regional titles before advancing to the semistate round, where their No. 1 doubles team of James Bartelme and Emiliano Ornelas continued their run all the way to the IHSAA Individual State Doubles Championship, finishing as State runners-up.

The Eagles dominated the Sectional Tournament, defeating Triton (5–0) and Knox (5–0) to claim the title. Their momentum carried into Regionals, where they earned wins over Munster (4–1) and Lowell (4–1).

In the semistate match, Culver narrowly fell to South Bend Saint Joseph, 2–3. However, Bartelme and Ornelas secured a victory (6–3, 7–5) at No. 1 doubles, sending them to the IHSAA Individual State Tournament at Park Tudor High School in Indianapolis.

At State, the pair continued to play strongly, defeating Delta in the quarterfinals (6–1, 6–2) and Avon in the semifinals (7–5, 6–3). In the championship match, they faced a tough Brownsburg team, falling short (1–6, 3–6) to earn the Individual State Runner-Up title.

Coach Alan Loehr said he was proud of how the entire team competed this year.

"We had to rely on lineup depth this season, and the boys delivered. That is to say, each position had a role in every match, and each player came through for their team on different nights."

He added that this year's group didn't rely on a star player or two to lead them, as had been the case in their most recent successful teams.

"To that end, we overcame the loss of our No. 1 singles player midway through the season," Loehr said. "So, junior varsity players were a key component to a team that achieved a No. 5 ranking in the final coaches poll, the highest we've ever finished in the coaches poll, even higher than teams that played in the Final Four or Final Eight state tournaments."

Despite not always playing together at the doubles position, Bartelme and Ornelas began to show promise as a doubles team early in the season.

"We believed after our second weekend of matches that they would likely make an outstanding duo at the 1 doubles position. This has not always been a historically strong position for CMA. Midway through the season, and after a couple of big wins, they began to look like a team that might 'make noise' in the state tournament," Loehr said.

When asked what stood out to him about their performance at State, Loehr said, "First, they were enjoying themselves. Second, they played without fear and a 'play to win' approach."

Loehr reflected on how their preparation paid off in key matches.

"Doubles is fast-paced and matches often ride on a team's ability to execute three or four shots repetitively. James and Emiliano worked intentionally in their postseason practices on those shots. They put on a clinic in their quarterfinal and semifinal matches on how to play fundamentally sound doubles, both mentally and physically. In the final match, the Brownsburg team executed their doubles fundamentals better than we did. While the score would indicate some lopsidedness, it really was not. Rather, it was a matter of winning key points for them; points that went our way in earlier tournament matches."

Looking ahead, Loehr said he believes the experience gained by returning players will help set the tone for another successful season.

"We have a good culture right now in the program. The boys are focused and appear to enjoy practices and matches. This tone is set by 12th-grade leaders, and ours were again strong this year," Loehr said. "Having second- and third-classmen go this far, and having them there from day one through the upcoming winter and spring, and when we start again on August 17, 2026, will, as you say, set a very positive tone."